1892
January 25: Edward’s mother dies. Alice Jeanette’s dying wish is that Edward become a businessman and not an educator or doctor in the family tradition. He is raised by his sister, Mary "May" Jeanette Weston (1877 - 1952).

Edward Weston with his sister Mary (May)

Edward B. Weston with Mary his daughter

1902
August 20: Edward is given his first camera by his father while summering on his aunt’s farm in Michigan. Camera type: Kodak Bulls-Eye No. 2 3.5” x 3.5” format (12 exposures). Here is Kim Weston with his Bulls-Eye camera, like the one Edward Weston used.

Kim Weston - With Bulls-Eye Camera

1903
Edward drops out of school and never returns. He follows his mother’s wishes and works for three years as an errand boy and salesman for his uncle, Theodore Brett, at Marshall Field & Company in Chicago.

1904
Edward's sister, May, moves to Tropico, California.

1906
Edward's first photograph is published in the April issue of Camera and Darkroom. Photograph: “Spring, 1903.”

May 29: Edward arrives in Tropico, California to visit May. He decides to stay and California becomes his home for the rest of his life.

May's husband, John Seaman (1877 - 1961), arranges a job for Edward as a surveyor by the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad for $15 a week.

1907
Edward quits his railroad job to become an itinerant photographer, working door-to-door. Edward returns east to attend the Illinois College of Photography in Effington, Illinois. He completes the 9-month program in 6-months. Edward learns darkroom techniques he will use for the rest of his photographic life.

This early image can be seen in the book: "EDWARD WESTON LIFE WORK" Essays by Sarah M. Lowe and Dody Weston Thompson. Photographs from the Collection of Judith G Hochberg and Michael Mattis.

Edward Weston Landscape circa 1907

1908
Edward returns to California and works as a retoucher for George Steckel Portrait Studio in Los Angeles.